The Sun Archive
The Search for the Spirit and the Mysteries
The Triptych Grail
From Solomon Across Golgotha to Christian Rosenkreutz
This unique and profound work of esoteric art contains many spiritual and historical truths which can only be understood in light of Anthroposophy. It was commissioned by Dr. Rudolf Steiner to a talented artist named Anna May von Rychter (1864-1955), who was a student of Anthroposophy at the time. This inspired and informed work was completed in 1912. She was the spouse of a well-known artist named Tadeusz Rychter, who created well-regarded watercolors.
The completed work was intended to be on display at the Johannesbau in Munich, then later at the first Goetheanum, which was destroyed by arson in 1922. Together with Thaddäus, Anna belonged to the "Aenigma" artist group, which exhibited the triptych in Munich in 1918 under the title "Grail Divine and Human Blood." During the Second World War, the original was kept at Hamburg Waldorf School, which was destroyed by the Allied aerial bombings. However, a small photograph survived of the work by Anny May's niece, Marguerita Hauschka.
Refer: Anna May-Rychter – AnthroWiki
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The original was approximately 2.5 - 3 x 6 meters. This original was later made available to the public as a larger poster in 1975. This printed image was first given to members of the Anthroposophical Society at a lecture on Dec. 26, 1914, with a handwritten copy of the verse included.​
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"In the eye of the soul is reflected the Earth's radiant hope,
Wisdom, devoted to the spirit, in human hearts speaks thus:
The Father's eternal Love did send the Son to the Earth,
who, full of Grace, now bestows on humanity's pathway,
The radiance of Heaven."
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-Adrian Anderson, PH.D. Rudolf Steiner's Esoteric Christianity in the Grail painting by Anna May Rudolf Steiner's Esoteric Christianity in the Grail painting by Anna May: Contemplating the sacred in Rosicrucian Christianity: Anderson, Adrian: 9780994160287: Amazon.com: Books​
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​The painting moves from left to right. It is an inspired and informed work that portrays three key spiritual-historical events that have shaped the world and all of human evolution. Throughout the painting are images, symbols, and motifs of key spiritual events and turning points, and individualities including master-initiates, founders of religions, and the triad of divine beings closes to humanity; the Angels, Archangels, and Archai. The evolution of the personality known today as Christian Rosenkreutz (the Count of St. Germain and St. John) is portrayed in this painting in support of, and revolving around, the Christ mission for the world. Other leading individuals such as Gautama Buddha, Zarathustra, Melchizedek, Abraham, Moses, and Joan of Arc are present. All of the activities of these spiritual leader revolve around the Event of Golgotha; the martyrdom of Christ-Jesus on the Cross.
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The context of these images must be viewed in light of Dr. Steiner's works. They are not labeled by the painter, and Anna May Rychter only provided a brief pamphlet, which is not widely available, on all that this profound work of art entails.
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The purpose of this article is to provide only a high-level overview based on the work of Rudolf Steiner and informed researchers for further consideration. The primary source of information for this article is from Adrian Anderson, PH.D. Rudolf Steiner's Esoteric Christianity in the Grail painting by Anna May Rudolf Steiner's Esoteric Christianity in the Grail painting by Anna May: Contemplating the sacred in Rosicrucian Christianity: Anderson, Adrian: 9780994160287: Amazon.com: Books. I consider this work to be the most informative and guided study on this topic outside of the lectures by Dr. Rudolf Steiner...
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The Building of the Temple: King Solomon, Queen of Sheba, & the Hiram the Architect-Builder
The left panel of the painting can only truly be understood in light of the Temple Legend myth, which was frequently used by the Freemasons throughout Europe. Dr. Rudolf Steiner explained the mystery of this legend. The central aspect of this pane is the building of a Temple; the Temple of the human being and the world; the "I AM that I AM" of which the Hebrew peoples were destined to carry a great spiritual impulse from whence Jesus arose and led to the Mystery of Golgotha. This began after the fall of Atlantis sometime around 9500 BC, when master initiates migrated to the West and carried the Mysteries and the secrets of initiation into all of the cultures of the world.
This myth was taught by the great initiate Christian Rosenkreutz, founder of the Order of the Rose Cross, to his closest pupils in the 17th century. Dr Rudolf Steiner stated that CR circulated this myth, which captures the path and evolution of the human soul from the fall of Atlantis to the Christ Event of Golgotha (the 3rd and 4th "post-Atlantean" epochs) - to his closest 10 disciples. -Rudolf Steiner, The Temple Legend, Lecture 5. I-5. The Mystery known to Rosicrucians—Festival of the Liberation of the Human Spirit - Vol. 93. The Temple Legend (1985) - Rudolf Steiner Archive
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The theme of the Temple Legend concerns the evolution of the human soul through a Hiram Abiff (the build, also known as Adoniram in the Old Testament who was charged with the building the temple by King Solomon, King Solomon (symbol of the old form of initiation wisdom), and the Queen of Sheba (symbol of spirit). The tale proceeds when the Queen of Sheba, who represents the ancient atavistic wisdom of the stars, comes to the court of King Solomon from the South and finds her destiny in Hiram Abiff. A jealous entanglement ensues, and Hiram is murdered by 3 of his students at the behest of King Solomon.
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The story begins much earlier, however. According to Steiner, it begins with the lines of Cain and Abel and the creation of humanity. Two lines of people descend from these founders of humanity; one who works and tills the earth (Cain) and gathers wisdom that way by building with his/her hands, and the other stream (Abel) who awaits spiritual guidance and wisdom purely from above. Wisdom is attained by those who till the earth and work from learning; the other is a soul impulse connected purely with the wisdom of divine guidance, upon which it awaits instruction. One actively works, the other receives.
These two aspects are "columns," or pillars, that must merge. For this to occur properly, a "Temple" of the soul and world was constructed. Hiram is a great initiate and leader of humanity who unites the old with the new; the ancient wisdom with the fulfillment of the Christ impulse in humanity through the Hebrew peoples. He begins his spiritual-historical journey as Hiram. But the reality is that his journey began much, much further back in time to the very beginnings of humanity.
Solomon hires Hiram to build a magnificent temple, "Solomon's Temple." Sheba, who comes to Solomon from the south, marries him, but upon seeing Hiram and Solomon in the King's court, insists on meeting Hiram, whom she falls "in love" or "unites" with. Solomon becomes enraged with jealousy and eventually persuades Hiram's students to murder him (they are jealous rivals) and divert the mission of the building as a result. Before Hiram dies, he reveals the mystery symbol of the sacred "golden triangle" and buries it to be rediscovered later by those who would not profane it and can carry on the mission. It is a symbol of initiation.
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There are many images, motifs, and nuances to this story. Thus, below is an image with labels that lead one to a more insightful view of doing research in the Rudolf Steiner Archives (www.rsarchives.com).
For example, above this scene (which occurs inside the Temple) is the Ark of the Covenant; the sacred promise made between God, Moses, and the Hebrew people (for all of humanity). The Ark preserved and carried elements of the human soul. On the left is a kind of fiery pillar made of light and spiritual forces. According to Dr. Adrian Anderson, this represents the great sun initiate of the Atlantis who led the peoples forward after the Great Flood named "Melchizedek" whose encounter with Abraham delivered a powerful spiritual impulse - in the "Etheric" sheath of the Hebrew peoples - which was passed down through the centuries and led to the fulfillment of the Mystery of Golgotha. Melchizedek appears to have 2 discs (solar discs as he is a Sun Initiate of the Most High), or tablets, above his head, which may represent the 10 commandments on 2 sacred cartouches which were to be stored in the Ark of the Covenant. He initiated Abraham, who founded the 12 Tribes of Israel, from whom the mission of Christ-Jesus could occur.
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Beneath these individuals are 12 symbols of the zodiac and the burning bush, Moses, and other nuances. The burning bush is shining down upon the 12 symbols as the signs of the 12 houses of the zodiac, each of which represents an "epoch" of human-spiritual development. In astronomical terms, each house of the zodiac requires 2,160 years to complete a full cycle (2,160 x 12 = 25,920 years). These cycles are not purely astronomical in scientific terms but have spiritual evolutionary points of change that are overseen by angels and divine leaders who perpetually guide human evolution. Thus, the signs of the zodiac represent stages of human development, and each "house" projects a unique influence and goal upon humanity and the world.
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Below, labels are applied in light of Dr. Adrian Anderson's work, Rudolf Steiner's Esoteric Christianity in the Grail painting by Anna May: Contemplating the sacred in Rosicrucian Christianity: Anderson, Adrian: 9780994160287: Amazon.com: Books
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Selected Quotes​
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(1) "In the beginning of the Earth, Elohim examined the Primordial Mother Heva. And she bore Cain. After that, Jahve-Elohim formed Adam and created him from clay and gave him a new living soul. Adam begat Cain with Heva. Then Cain and Abel quarreled, and Cain slew his brother Abel. Since then, blood guilt has rested on Cain and his descendants. But instead of the slain Abel, Seth was born to Adam from Heva.
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The priests and kings of the world descended from the Abel-Seth line. They were given the gift of divine wisdom by their progenitor [Yahweh]. The descendants of Abel were shepherds and tended flocks and peoples because what they needed now fell to them without labor through the gift of the gods.
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Cain and his descendants were farmers and plowed the earth. From the bottom up, through the forces of the earth, they had to work their way up to the light. One of Cain's descendants was Lamech. He invented the man of metal according to the sounds of the music of the spheres.​ The last of the great enlightened priest-kings of the Abel Seth line was the wise King Solomon. He sat on his throne of gold and ivory and sent his messengers to the four corners of the earth.
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By virtue of his divine wisdom, he conceived the plan for building the temple in his mind. But he could not carry it out himself. For this he needed a master builder named Hiram Abiff or Adoniram. He was of the Cain race and knew the powers of the earth. He could oversee the construction and direct the crowds of workers with the blow of his hammer.
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Then the wise Queen of Sheba came from the south, from the land of the streams, to King Solomon to admire the temple that the wise King Solomon had conceived and that Hiram Abiff or Adoniram had built according to his will. And she was very astonished. But she had given the wise King Solomon an engagement ring. After she had dedicated the temple, she met the master builder Hiram Abiff or Adoniram outside the city. And the bird [Had-Had] came and sat on the right arm of Hiram Abiff. Which the queen's wise nurse interpreted as meaning that she would marry Hiram Abiff. King Solomon became jealous, and in his rage the ring was pulled off and given to Hiram Abiff.
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But Hiram Abiff or Adoniram also had a great work to accomplish. He had been instructed by Solomon to create a large metal sea that was to be made transparent like glass. And a day was set for this work to be completed.
And the wise Solomon and the Queen of Sabah came with their retinue at the appointed hour to witness the completion of the miracle.
There was only one more ingredient to be added to the mixture, and then the metal sea would transform and appear transparent. But there were three treacherous figures among the workmen of Hiram Abiff or Adoniram: doubt, superstition, and belief in one's own personality. They had secretly spoiled the mixture. When Hiram Abiff or Adoniram added the last ingredients before the king and queen, fire spurted out at him (Lemuria) and the brazen sea darkened.
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When he then added water (Atlantis) to extinguish the fire, the mass began to boil even more violently, threatening to destroy everything and to devour everyone present. Then a voice was heard from the fire and steam, calling to Hiram Abiff or Adoniram to plunge himself with his hammer into the fiery mass and thus extinguish the flame.He did so and then felt himself sinking down, deep into the interior of the earth. There he met his ancestor Cain. Cain gave him a new hammer with which he could complete the work. With this, he rose unharmed back to the surface of the earth and was now able to complete his work.
Solomon and his descendants, however, lost the divine wisdom and perished more and more. The descendants of Cain, however, are called upon to work their way up to the light of divine wisdom. These two currents have then mixed in many ways, and in every person of our time there is blood from both currents. But in those who can penetrate to the light, the blood of Cain predominates. Another incarnation of Hiram Abiff or Adoniram is Jeshu ben Pandirah, the Essene, who lived for about 100 years..." -Rudolf Steiner, Lessons for the Participants of, Cognitive-Cultic Work 1906–1924. Legend — Vol. 265a. Lessons for the Participants of Cognitive-Cultic Work 1906–1924 — Rudolf Steiner Archive
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(2) "Hiram is the representative of the initiates among the Sons of Cain belonging to the fourth and fifth epochs. The Queen of Sheba is the soul of humanity — every female character denotes the soul in esoteric terminology. She has to choose between the detached piety which does not concern itself with worldly conquest, and the masterful wisdom which is achieved through the overcoming of earthly passions and desires.
She is the representative of the true human soul, taking her position between Hiram and Solomon and uniting herself with Hiram in the fourth and fifth epochs, because he is still engaged in building the Temple." -Steiner, Rudolf.The Temple Legend, GA 93, Part I, 5. The Mystery known to Rosicrucians, 4 November 1904, Berlin https://rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA093/English/RSP1985/19041104p01.html​
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(3) "The arrival of the Queen of Sheba signifies the attempt of the present time. Science, represented by Hiram, can now unite with the wisdom of the soul, symbolized by the Queen of Sheba." -Rudolf Steiner, The History and Content of the Esoteric School 1904–1914 Volume Two, The Beginning of the Temple Legend, The Beginning of the Temple Legend — Vol. 265. The History and Content of the Esoteric School 1904–1914 Volume II — Rudolf Steiner Archive
Center: The Mystery of Golgotha
The Christ shedding his blood for humanity on Golgotha in 33AD was THE central turning point in human history. The event occurred at the precise midpoint of human evolution in historical terms.
In this frame, His blood becomes one with the earth as He bonded himself with humanity and the world. He is the Representative and Redeemer of Humanity. Within this section are images of those who were present at the Crucifixion including Joseph of Arimathea, divine higher beings who supported the mission including angels including the Archangel Michael, Buddha who was imbued the Jesus-child with his spiritualized forces of universal Love after His birth, and Lazarus-John.
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The seven aspects of the human being, which correspond to seven universal and divine influences, are symbolized in this painting by the seven wounds of the FIVE wounds of the Christ which finds its symbol in the 5-pointed star or Hexagram. The purification and shedding of the blood is a central theme of the Holy Grail. A central aspect of the Mystery of Golgotha is the revivification of the human being's "Etheric" aspect (the "Energy" sheath). However, the symbol also represents the Holy Spirit, the Logos, and the "Life-Spirit" or "Buddhi" which shapes and transforms over time in the human being and the world. Had not Christ intervened, and others, these forces would have withered and humanity would not have reached its proper evolution.
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The five-pointed star is associated with the energy body, or "Etheric Body", of the human being which is also symbolized by the Christmas Star; the Star of Bethlehem. Above the five-pointed star is a triangle; the symbol of the Trinity in Father, Son, Holy Ghost but this image sits atop several other symbols, which are elaborated below.
Below, labels applied in light of Adrian Anderson's work Rudolf Steiner's Esoteric Christianity in the Grail painting by Anna May: Contemplating the sacred in Rosicrucian Christianity: Anderson, Adrian: 9780994160287: Amazon.com: Books
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Right Pane
The Initiation of Christian Rosenkreutz in 1250 AD
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The Reincarnated Lazarus-John.
"The child developed in a strange and remarkable way. The Twelve were not in any sense fanatics; they were full of inner composure, enlightenment and peacefulness of heart. They were very sparing with teaching clothed in words but because they lived in communion with the boy, twelve rays of light as it were went out of them into him and were resolved, in his soul, into one great harmony."
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-Rudolf Steiner, The Mission of Christian Rosenkreutz GA 130
9 February 1912, Vienna IV. Intimate Workings of Karma, https://rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA130/English/RSP1950/19120209p01.html
In the right pane, a pivotal event in the modern era is portrayed. According to Dr. Steiner, an event of global significance occurred in the 13th century known only to the initiates which was revealed as a part of the Michael mission which began in 1879 AD. This event was the spiritual initiation of the soul who was destined to become the founder of the Rosicrucian Order - the Order of the Rose Cross; Christian Rosenkreutz (literally "Christian Rose Cross"). This globally significant event occurred in the year 1250AD somewhere in Europe and was a physical-spiritual event. Portrayed here is the boy surrounded by 12 great initiates, or leaders, of humanity who gave him vital spiritual forces to this great personage that only they could impart to him as a collective group. Within these forces, were the collective wisdom of the 12 streams of human-cultural-spiritual activity for all time.
This was necessary for this high individuality due to a barrier that had to be overcome for the sake of human evolution which is destined to reach a certain climax in the modern era. This battle is the battle with Ahrimanic, or materialistic, forces of ego, self, and the primal forces that can build a block between humanity and our ability to form a valid and inner perception of the world.
C.R. was the reincarnated Lazarus-John, and Hiram, who authored the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelations. This individual undertook a new and vital spiritual mission in the modern era. Above this event is the Christmas Star shining brightly. Guarding this event is Joan of Arc who was the spiritual inspiration for the defense of France during the Hundred Years War against England. However, this moment was connected not just to a political outcome, but rather to a key spiritual event that, had she not intervened, could have been at risk. Thus, she is a true guardian of this vital spiritual-historical event (died 1431AD) and is portrayed as holding her banner (of Maria).
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*For more information on Joan of Arc's mission in light of Anthroposophy, refer to the author's book Joan of Arc in Light of Anthroposophy and Spiritual Science which is available for free on this website and on Amazon.
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(1) https://www.sunarchive.org/joan-of-arc-book
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The 12 initiates who are surrounding C.R. - who appears to be in a sleep-state in a shroud similar to the old forms of initiation before the Christ era when a candidate for initiation was placed into a 3-day "Temple Sleep" period - represent the different streams of cultural activity (including the 7 Rishis) that have guided humanity before, and since, the collapse of Atlantis sometime around 9500 BC. This image of a boy wrapped in a burial shroud receiving forces from the 12 master-initiates of human evolution who carried all of the wisdom of the ages within them, is a correlation in this image to Lazarus-John who was raised from the dead.
For more information, consult the Rudolf Steiner Archives which are available for free and a google search will produce several results for more information on this topic.
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Selected References
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(1) Steiner, Rudolf. Lessons for the Participants of Cognitive-Cultic Work 1906–1924, GA 265a
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(2) Steiner, Rudolf. The Temple Legend. Vol. 93. The Temple Legend (1985) - Rudolf Steiner Archive
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(3) Steiner, Rudolf. The History and Content of the Esoteric School 1904–1914, Jakin and Boaz or the Pillars of Hercules Volume Two, GA 265 https://rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA265/English/SOL2025/61_The_Two_Pillars.html
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(4) The Mission of Christian Rosenkreutz, GA 130 https://rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA130/English/RSP1950/ChRose_index.html
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(5) Anderson, Adrian. Rudolf Steiner's Esoteric Christianity in the Grail painting by Anna May: Contemplating the sacred in Rosicrucian Christianity: Anderson, Adrian: 9780994160287: Amazon.com: Books
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